Overview of good ventilation#

Schools and kura in New Zealand are designed to be well ventilated, either naturally or mechanically. There are steps you should take to make the most of this. The best way to achieve good ventilation is to open windows and doors, either fully or partially, whenever you can.

Our promoting airflow in schools document outlines these steps.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels#

High CO₂ levels can have a negative impact on health and learning outcomes. CO₂ levels can be measured to show how well-ventilated a room is.

CO₂ levels that are above 800 parts per million (ppm) for more than 1 hour suggest more ventilation is needed. The best way to quickly reduce CO₂ levels is to open all the windows and doors in the room for 5 to 10 minutes.

If your school still has high CO₂ levels that are over 2,000 ppm for a sustained period of time (for example over the course of 1 hour), contact your property advisor.

CO₂ monitors#

Schools can request fixed and permanent internal environmental monitoring (IEM) devices at no cost. Contact the Te Haratau team to place a request.

Email: [email protected]

The IEM devices provided to schools track ventilation performance, along with other environmental quality factors such as:

• temperature
• relative humidity
• sound
• lighting levels.

Schools can buy portable CO₂ monitors at a discounted price directly from our supplier. Use the voucher code ‘3DUCATION’ at checkout to access the discount.

The Temperature Shop

The ventilation guidance for New Zealand schools explains how to use a CO₂ monitor. Schools should review our guidance regularly when seasons change.

Maintenance and property improvements#

Schools must meet the minimum ventilation requirements in the current New Zealand Building Code 'G4 ventilation' and Designing Quality Learning Spaces (DQLS) Requirements.

Designing quality learning spaces

Check all windows and doors regularly to make sure that they can open easily and are not blocked by other objects.